Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-04-09
CLPTAIN mo- STORY.

Laheritancs. As far back sc can find any
account OF my ancestors they followed the
sea- My father and my grandfather found
theiE graves IN the ocean, two Of my
brothers were never heard Of after Gheir
last voyage; and SO long a time had gone
by since my brother Elias sailed from
New York for Bombay without any tide
tngs coming back from him that had be-
gun to fear that he, too, was to be quoted
as another example Of the luck Of the
Braces.
In those days was the master Of one Of
the fastest clippers that rounded the Horn.
We had not heard Of Pacific railways then;
steam on the ocean was not what It is now,
and our swift ships made voyages between
Boston and San Francisco that astOnished
and delighted both cities. The discovery
OF gold IN California was followed by
great emigration thither, and all the carry
ing trade was stimulated. Ny ship had
made an average speed on several of these
long voyages Of which the owners were
proud, and I was naturally anxious to
beat my own time.
We were bowling along merrily in the
South Atlantic before a stiff north wind
when the masthead lookout reported some
thing in sight far OF to the IarbOard.
Was il a sail?@ asked. No: it was not
SAIL and it was not clear what it was.
Soon after came another report that it
looked like a dismentled hull.
@Any signals?" I inquired.
No, sir; no signals"
Mr.. Mayhem, the mate, who was stand
ing near me, made the remark lin a very
proper manner, tOO.) that if the masts were
all gones it couldn't be expected there
would be any signals. I am ashamed to
say that I told him to mind his own bust
ness.
The truth is, I was very much vexed. SO
far, we had made a splendid run, and was
hopeful of rounding the cape il less time
than had ever done it before. And now
to change course, lose headTay, and per-
haps whole day, looking after a wreck!
IL was too provoking.
For fifteen minutes walked the deck,
very much vexed, but not at all satisfied
with myself. Then Mr.. Mayhem APP
preached me and touched his hat.
81 beg your pardon, Captain Brace, he
said, "but the glass shows her plainly now
She's large ship, not under helm, and
rolling heavily as if water-lOgged. Shall
change our course and send boat out?"
mol" I Numbered, and as the hurt and
astOnished mate went forward, diyed down
into the cabin and shut the door.
Let the old wreck 60, I said to myself.
"She's seen heavy weather, and there's
nothing alive on her"
This is what said; but saving it did not
satisfy me. 1 sat down and tried to think
of something else. could not do it.
Thoughts of the dead and the dying sea-
men who might be on that poor drifting
hulk took possession Of my mind and
would not quit me. Then came another
thought that caused me to Jump up and
pace the cabin. What if my brothers had
met their death In this way, because some
selfish, inhuman ships captain like myself
was unwilling TO stop and save them. just
such things had happened.
I rushed up on deck. What do you
make her now, Mr.. MayheW2" I asked.
- lE--E !.
said. "Ihe rail and the matches have been
chopped away, and 1 see one boat that is
stove. She had live men aboard not long
ago, sure"
"Well, Mr.. Mayhem, you may shorten
sail and send a boat over to her"
He gave a cheerful -Ay, az, sir!" and in
less than one hour from that time saw
through the glass our boats crew mount the
side Of the water-lOgged wreck. With
pang of reprOach I saw them hand down
into the boat half a dozen helpless men.
They were Just IN time-the boat had not
pulled a furlOng away when the wreck
pitched over and went down by the bows.
1t was some little time after our ship was
before the wind again that 1 went down
into the fore hold where the doctor was
working over the poor, starved, famished
fellows who were taken from the wreck.
had been a sailor twenty years, and never
saw so pitiful a sight before.
He shook his head dOubtfully.
1.-TWO have died since they came on
board. and the others are likely except
this one. He's far enough gone, poor boy;
but he seems to rally under the stimulants,
and have hopes Of him."
The man that he spoke Of opened his
eyes at the sound of our voices.
whats the matter with you, Captain?"
asked the doctor. You're as pale as a
ghost"
Wen I might bel Ny brother Elias lay
before ne.
It was two weeks after this, when We had
nursed him back to something like strength,
that he was able to sit up in my cabin and
tell me his adventures. I did not begin to
tell long story, so shall repeat none of
them save that which happened to him the
night before his rescue.
Our horrible sufferings had at last put
US IN that condition" he said, where all
complaint was silenced by mere physical
weakness. The boats had been stove OF
carried away by stress of the storm; the
rudder was disabled; provisions and water
were scanti We drifted helplessly about,
while the ship slowly filed from leak that
We could not reach; the time soon came
when We were too weak to man the pumps.
One by one my shipmates grew deliriOus
and died; three ended their suherIngs by
jumping overheard. That last night was
so weak rom munger ana ShIsE LhaI II
seemed as if death could not be far of, and
I closed my eyes, expecting to open them
in another world Whether slept and
dreamed, or whether what I saw was
vision sent from heaven to cheer and COM
fort me, I know not; but saw this ship
come sailing over the sea toward me, so
distinctly that I could tell every mast, sail,
and spar, and you, brother, were standing
at the bow, holding out your hands to me.
When awoke you and the doctor were
standing over me-"
Commissioner Of Deeds for all the
Co.,. N. q q o..-ao-. ILL.,.